turf war for learners of EnglishPowered by COBUILD or turf battle

Word forms: turf wars

Definitions

1. countable noun

A turfwar is a struggle between criminals or gangs over who controls a particular area. [mainly journalism] [+ between] ⇒ The estate is at the centre of a bitter turf war between rival drug gangs. [Also + over]

2. countable noun

A turf war is a struggle between people over who controls a particular activity. [mainly journalism] [+ between] ⇒ Both sides say this is more than just a turf war between big and small banks. [Also + over]